Chapter 23
NICOLAS’S POV
“Now take your new car for a drive to Harriet’s house,” I said angrily. “Tell her you won’t give her free drugs anymore. If she wants any, she has to come to me and pay full price. Got it?”
Liam stared at me, confused. “Got it,” he said slowly, sining up. “New car?”
I threw the keys on the floor near him. “I bought you that red and black Ford Mustang you’ve been staring at for months on your screen saver.”
Liam grabbed the keys, his face lighting up. “For my birthday?”
“For your birthday and your initiation. Now go talk to Harriet and take Damien with you,” I ordered before turning and heading into the living room. I went straight to the punching bag and started hitting it, hoping to burn off the anger bubbling inside me.
After a moment. Tate came into the room. “I guess I don’t need to keep an eye on the girls anymore!”
I ignored him, my focus on the punching bag. The last thing I wanted was to think about Milene. If I did, I’d end up ruining everything I had planned. The stepped closer, blocking my view. “That girl played him.”
“I know,” I snapped, landing a hard punch that sent the bag swinging. The hook groaned, but it stayed in place. “How about we wrestle”
“You don’t look like you want to wrestle. You look like you want to destroy or perhaps kill someone.” Tate said, but he started unbuttoning his shirt
I pulled off my own shirt, shoved my pants down, and climbed into the boxing ring in just my briefs. Tate followed, standing across from me. I motioned for him to start, and he didn’t hesitate.
We fought hard and fast, each punch and kick full of anger. Tate’s strikes were sharp and controlled, but mine were fueled by anger. I pushed him into the ropes, but he quickly pushed off and came at me again..
“This is about Milene, isn’t it?” Tate uaunted.
“No,” 1 growled, my fars flying. “I just enjoy punching your face” Tate smiled before lunging at me again.
“What’s going on here?” Kiara’s voice rang out from the doorway.
We ignored her
“If no one answers me, I’ll go upstairs and talk to Milene,” she said.
“You won’t,” I barked, which gave Tate the opening to land a solid punch to my side. Snarling. I hit him back with a sidekick to the shoulder. “KiaralTM I called, raising my hand to pause the fight.
She stopped in her tracks. “I thought Milene could have dinner with us. I made mac and cheese.”
“You’re not going near her without someone watching your back. Got it?” I said firmly,
She hesitated, then nodded. Her gaze shifted to Tate. “Why don’t you invite your girlfriend over? There’s plenty of food”
“Good idea,” I said, jumping out of the ring. My anger wasn’t going anywhere today, and I knew it.
“Will you bring Milene down, then?” Kiara asked.
“No,” I said.
“Why not?” she pressed, stepping closer.
“Because I don’t trust myself around her right now, okay?” Isnapped.
Kiara frowned but nodded, “Okay”
Til take some food to her later, Tate offered and stared at me for a moment waiting for me to react so he’ll confirm the idea that he’s formed in his head about me having feelings for Milene. He grabbed his phone from his pants on the floor and made a call. I pulled my clothes back on, not caring about the sweat dripping off me. Kiara followed me as I dropped onto the couch
“Is this about Liam?” she asked.
1:15 PM c c •
Chapter 23
“What?”
“You are obviously in a bad mood.”
I gave her a sinister smile. “You haven’t seen me in a bad mood yet, and if 1 can help it. you won’t
She
pressed d her lips together. “He’s struggling. He doesn’t want to disappoint you, but he also doesn’t want to kill or
or torture for you.”
I stayed quiet, holding her gaze until she finally looked away. She murmured softly,” He’s killed before and he feels guilty about it”
I leaned forward and put my elbows on my thighs “No one forced him back then. He had options. He could have hidden or run. He could have aimed for the guy’s leg or arm. But he shot him in the head. Liam might not want to be a killer, but he is one. It’s in his blood. He can fight it all he wants, but eventually, the darkness wins. That’s just how it is.”
“Maybe,” she said quietly
Thie
ד
the same. Once a good kid with clean hands, but now? He’s my
enforcer.”
Tate snorted. “I was never good, and definitely not a saint.”“
Kiara looked at the kitchen. “I should finish dinner. Can you help me open the mustard jar?”
I nodded toward Thre. “He can help.
Kiara hesitated, her eyes going back and forth between me and Tate. Sighing, I got to my feet. Tate shrugged. “My girlfriend will be here in five minutes”
I followed Kiara into the kitchen and took the jar from her hands. “Didn’t think I’d see the day someone was more scared of Tate than me.”
Kiara blushed. “I know I’m safe with you.”
I wasn’t sure why she believed that. I handed the jar back to her “Here.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re safe with Tate, too,” I told her.
“I know,” she said softly. “It just takes time for my brain to catch up.”
1 gave her a hard look. “You should question a brain that makes you trust me and love my brother, Kiara.”
She laughed softly and said. “It’s my heart, not my brain.”
I turned and left, shaking my head. I didn’t have time for sentimental nonsense.
田
